Visit Hawaii: W Marriott Ihilani Resort

1. Location

This beachfront property is situated in the secluded 640-acre Ko Olina Resort in West Oahu. It sits on 4 beautiful lagoons and a golf course. Waikiki and Honolulu Airport are 40 min away.

The nearby town of Kapolei is about 5 min away by car and provides you with a grocery store, drugstore, fast food and smaller shops and restaurants. It's a good place to pick up some supplies, snacks and a cheap, quick meal. If you would like more choice, you can drive to an outlet mall which is about 15 minutes east from JW Marriott Ihilani Resort.

2. Rooms

JW Marriott Ihilani Resort has 17 stories with 387 spacious luxuriously appointed rooms. The decor is a stylish contemporary version of Hawaiian plantation style.

Huge marble bathroom is incredible - shower, dual vanity, separate closet, and fresh flowers. At the end of a busy day, you will appreciate the deep-soaking European tub. Then slip into a plush robe and listen to the tide while sipping a drink from the mini-bar.

Bedside phone also has a touchscreen LCD display that lets you change all the lights, a/c and fan settings without leaving the bed.

Each room has:

640 sq ft
Beds: 1 king or 2 doubles
Air-conditioning
Private lanai with table and 2 chairs
Big-screen TV
CD player
Minibar
3 two-line phones
Well-lit work desk with chair
Couch
Bath and Body Works bathroom amenities
Hair dryer
Iron and board
Large closets
Very nice Yukata bathrobes and slippers
In-room safe
Nightly turndown service
24-hour room service

3. Restaurants

All of the restaurants at JW Marriott Ihilani Resort are very good but pretty pricey:

1) Azul - Ihilani's signature dining room. The ambiance, innovative Mediterranean cuisine and outstanding wines all tie together to create an evening that you will remember. You can also go to outside Azul Lanai for fine cigars and cordials.

2) Naupaka Restaurant - Traditional informal Hawaiian restaurant overlooking the pool. Enjoy island cuisine for lunch and dinner, or try their International Buffet for Sunday Brunch. The salads are fresh, crabs are ready to eat, and the fish is prepared just right.

3) Usho-Tei - Sushi bar located in a quiet oasis next to Japanese garden.

4) Niblick Restaurant - located at the Ko Olina Golf Course. Beautiful fairway views. Fresh pasta, creative sandwiches, and Pacific and European specialties like "Seafood Tagliatella". "Grilled Breast of Chicken with Orange Cilantro Salsa" and Honey Cheesecake.

5) Ihilani Spa Cuisine - Special spa menu (breakfast and lunch) can be ordered at any restaurant, or you can eat at the spa's special relaxation lanai.

6) Poolside Grill - Open every morning for ala carte continental breakfast with fresh fruits, yogurts, breakfast pastries, capuccino and espresso. Early afternoon, enjoy cold salads, hearty sandwiches and smooth tropical drinks. Relax with a Mai Tai, Ihilani Dream or Blue Hawaii cocktail.

7) Hokule'a Bar - Hawaiian-style lounge, great choice for sunset cocktails and pupus.

8) Lanai Dining - Room service can create a special dinner experience just for you on your room lanai or the lagoon lawn. This is a beautiful way to celebrate your birthday, honeymoon, anniversary, or another special occasion.

4. Things to do

Beach activities
For a small fee, you can rent a cabana at the main lagoon closest to the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort. We highly recommend you to do so and enjoy a shady oasis on the beach for the entire day. There are 3 smaller lagoons around which are all worth a visit.
Swimming is very safe because the lagoon has a wave break. Even during busy season, the beach is never crowded, with quite a lot of beach chairs. Beach activities hut is right there, so you can arrange snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing or deep-sea fishing.
Spa
You will be pleasantly surprised by the variety of spa services, exercise classes and a state-of-the-art gym. Get a relaxing herbal chamomile wrap, or the more energizing sassaras and peppermint wrap. Then indulge in hydro treatment such as Swiss Shower, Grand Jet, Vichy Shower and Roman Pools. The most popular exercise activity is aquasize class where you will feel like a 5-year-old wearing buoy belts, pressing styrofoam weights, and jumping up and down in the water.
Outdoor massage is also very popular. Ihilani's therapists perform some amazing signature massages that you won't find at any other spa.
Signature services include a deluxe botanical body polish, regeneration facial, and half or full-day program that focuses on "balance", "harmony", "radiance", "refine" and "awakening". Feel free to sit and relax in the lounge, and ask for your lunch to be delivered to you.
Golf
Designed by Ted Robinson, this 6,867-yard course offers challenging 18 holes. Idyllic location, cascading waterfalls, shimmering pools and multi-tiered greens have led Golf Digest to honor it as one of the "Top 75 resort courses in USA". Pro shop and clubhouse restaurant are on site.
Children's Program
For children 4-12, Ihilani has developed half- and full-day program that includes fun activities like treasure hunts, hula dancing, lei marking, karaoke, sports and crafts. The cost is about $35 for half-day, $55 for full-day (without lunch).
Marine Life Program
You are invited to meet sharks, stingrays, starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers that live in the resort's saltwater ponds. There is a variety of interactive programs, such as The Stingray Ocean Experience, Reef Shark Feeding, and Reef Safari. The rate is about $25 per person.